Yue Nu, of the Eastern Zhou
Dynasty (770 BC-256 BC), was one of China's earliest recorded martial artists
and was renowned for her swordsmanship. She said, "The way of
swordsmanship, its ways are shallow and easy, its intents are mysterious and
deep, its way has doors and windows, as well as yin and yang, and when doors are
open and windows are closed, yin is declining while yang is rising. The way of
fighting, gather strength on the inside, show tranquility on the outside, appear
like a calm woman, take like an enraged tiger…" She spoke of the
difference of movement and idleness, fast and slow, attack and defense, hollow
and solid, inner and outer, against and along with, exhale and inhale, and other
opposing elements in her explanation of the use of agility, change, and
unpredictability in combat.